Beam was dizzy. The scotch he had slowly sipped over the last half hour had begun to cloud his senses. His legs wobbled slightly, his gaze unfocused as Max quietly caught his arm and guided him away from the bright lights and deafening music of the party.
"Come on, let's get you somewhere safe," Max said softly.
Phana noticed the movement and tried to stop them, but Wayo stepped in calmly. "The hotel isn't safe right now, too many drunk strangers. Beam's not in a state to protect himself. Our place is guarded, and Brother Forth won't let anything happen to him."
Phana hesitated, clearly torn, but nodded. As the host of tonight's party, he couldn't leave just yet, and Kit had vanished somewhere with Ming. In the end, he gave his reluctant approval.
By the time they reached the house, Forth had already adjusted his plan. The marriage contract - always a part of his strategy - was hastily put into motion. His heart wasn't in it the way it should have been. It was complicated. It always was with Beam.
As soon as the formalities were done, Forth led Beam to his bedroom. He could feel his control slipping. He'd waited too long to be near Beam like this, and yet, even in his foggy state, Beam resisted his kiss.
Forth gently shook him. "Beam… wake up. Baby, please, look at me."
Beam's eyes fluttered open. Even dulled with intoxication, they held a familiar softness. "Forth," he whispered, resting his head on Forth's chest.
That one word was enough to undo him.
Forth wrapped his arms around him tightly, burying his guilt and anger under the warmth of the hug. He knew what he was doing wasn't entirely right. But he also knew Beam needed to be safe - and that Wayo, his precious younger brother, needed peace.
Still holding Beam close, Forth pulled back slightly and cupped his lover's face. "Are you still mad at me?"
Beam blinked slowly and pushed Forth's hands away. "Beam will not reply to Forth's kisses," he said, a hint of mischief laced with sadness in his tone.
Forth's brows furrowed. "Why? Baby, I said I'm sorry. I'll do anything. Just… just don't push me away."
"Promise?" Beam asked, tilting his head, his drunk eyes wide and glassy.
"Promise," Forth said without hesitation.
But Beam still didn't kiss him back. He only shook his head gently.
"You're shaking your head, but your eyes… they say something else," Forth murmured, torn between frustration and tenderness.
"Beam wants to kiss… but Beam will not," he said quietly. "Because Forth will leave Beam again, just like last time."
At that, something clicked inside Beam. His expression shifted - his memories coming back. Tears welled up and began to fall.
"Forth is bad person," he cried, sobbing against Forth's chest. "You left me. You didn't love me. You never raised your voice at Wayo, but you scolded me. I was scared, Forth…"
Forth's guilt burned in his chest like fire. He wiped Beam's tears, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry. I'm here now. Not with Wayo. With you. What do you want, Beam? Tell me. I'll do it. I swear I'll never leave."
"You love me?" Beam asked, wiping his eyes with the back of his palm.
Forth nodded.
"Then… be with me forever. I want a commitment."
Before Forth could respond, Beam's body gave up to the alcohol and emotion. He collapsed into Forth's arms, unconscious again.
Forth held him gently and laid him on the bed. His mind raced. Commitment? He never did relationships. Not really. Especially not with someone who'd called him heartless… spoiled… a monster in a prince's clothes. And yet, here Beam was, asking for permanence.
He sighed and picked up his phone.
"Park," he said, "call the old lady church. Tell them I'll be there in an hour. Bring the gang, and two attorneys for the paperwork. And… ask Lam to arrange the ceremony. Make it the way Beam would like."
An hour later, in a dimly lit church, Forth stood holding Beam upright. The priest smiled, unaware of the storm inside the groom's chest.
"I now pronounce you husband and husband. You may kiss your partner."
Forth leaned in and gently pressed his lips against Beam's. Their small audience - his closest friends and legal witnesses - clapped politely. The papers were signed, and Beam rested again in his arms, unaware that his life had just changed forever.
As Park stayed behind to handle the final formalities, Forth walked out of the church carrying Beam bridal-style.
He could still hear Tul's voice from earlier, telling their group about the "revenge marriage." If only they knew the truth.
He wasn't doing this out of spite.
He was doing it out of guilt… protection… and something far scarier.
Affection.
Back home, Forth laid Beam on his bed. The younger man looked peaceful, innocent. Forth brushed his hair back gently.
"I'm sorry, love," he whispered. "This wasn't the plan. But I had to do it - for Wayo. One day, maybe you'll understand that everything I'm doing… is to keep you safe. Even if it doesn't feel that way."
He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Beam's forehead.
And Beam, half-asleep, smiled faintly. "Forth…"
That was all it took.
Forth felt something inside him shift again - slowly, dangerously.
The storm had only just begun.